In an effort to spur debate on housing market relief, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) on Thursday scolded Republican party presidential candidates for not addressing the issue during their latest televised debate.
"There can be no economic recovery without a housing recovery, yet the silence on housing was deafening during the debate," said NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen, a home builder from Reno, Nev. "It is particularly ironic that with the debate setting in Las Vegas, the epicenter of the foreclosure crisis, the candidates chose to duck this topic and other critical housing issues."
And criticism was also leveled on President Obama. "President Obama needs to take an affirmative position on homeownership as well," Nielsen said. "The failure of the Administration to put forth pro-housing policies is impeding the economic recovery and hurting job growth and consumer confidence."
In its statement, the NAHB explained that in normal economic times, housing accounts for more than 17 percent of the nation's economic output, and that building 100 single-family homes generates 305 full-time jobs, $23.1 million in wage and business income, and $8.9 million in taxes and revenue for state, local and federal governments. Also, more than 1.4 million residential construction workers have been idled since April 2006.
"Instead of arguing who was to blame for the downturn, all the 2012 presidential hopefuls need to be addressing these housing issues head-on," Nielsen said. "Housing and homeownership are critical to a strong and prosperous nation.
